System and Method for High Speed Data Communications

ABSTRACT

A method is disclosed for delivering broadband video data to an end user device comprising transmitting broadband video data via a radio frequency transmitter to a home radio frequency receiver located at a residential power transformer providing electrical power to a home; coupling the broadband video data from the home radio frequency receiver to a first modem onto a copper power line electrically coupled to the residential power transformer; receiving the broadband data on a second modem from the copper power line; and sending from the second modem, different portions of the broadband data to each of a plurality of end user devices in the home. A system and computer program for performing the method are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/203,996, filed Jul. 7, 2016, which is aContinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/604,667 filed Nov. 27, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,391,723. Thecontents of each of the foregoing are hereby incorporated by referenceinto this application as if set forth herein in full.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a method and apparatus fordelivering digital information over broadband power line systems.

BACKGROUND

The communications industry is burgeoning with new applications and newcustomers signing up daily. The demand for installation ofinfrastructure to support new customers is fast out growing the abilityof communication service providers to supply infrastructure. Present dayservice providers of broadcast cable-based communication networkstypically run a fiber optic cable or coaxial cable to a reception pointto provide new service to a customer. Running cable can be problematic,as it often requires digging or physical construction on premises to runcommunication cables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a system for deliveringdigital data to an end user device;

FIG. 2 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system fordelivering digital data to an end user device;

FIG. 3 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a system fordelivering digital data to an end user device;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a converter, transmitterand receiver used to receive an optical signal, convert it and transmitthe optical signal as a radio frequency signal;

FIG. 5 depicts a flow chart of functions performed in a particularillustrative embodiment; and

FIG. 6 is an illustrative embodiment of a machine for performingfunctions disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a particular embodiment of the present invention a method fordelivering data to an end user device is disclosed. The method includesreceiving an optical signal containing broadband digital data;converting the optical signal to a first radio frequency signal;transmitting the first radio frequency (RF) signal from an RFtransmitter to a first RF receiver in a first local region associatedwith the end user device; and converting the received radio frequencysignal to a digital data signal. In another particular embodiment themethod further includes placing the converted radio frequency digitaldata signal on electrical power wiring associated with the end userdevice. In another particular embodiment the RF signal comprises a bandof RF frequencies. A first subset of the band of RF frequencies isassociated with a first end user device and a second subset of the bandof RF frequencies is associated with a second end user device and thefirst subset of frequencies and the second subset of frequencies do notoverlap.

In another particular embodiment the method further includestransmitting a second RF signal to a second RF receiver in a secondlocal region, wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal donot interfere with each other in their local regions. In anotherparticular embodiment the first and second RF signals share the samefrequency band. In another particular embodiment the first subset of RFfrequencies are encrypted using a first encryption key associated withthe first end user device and the second subset of RF frequencies areencrypted using a second encryption key associated with the second enduser device. In another particular embodiment converting the opticalsignal further comprises converting the optical signal using auni-traveling carrier photodiode. In another particular embodiment themethod further includes using a phase of the carrier signal for one ofthe group consisting of link management and enhanced power when linkdegradation occurs. In another particular embodiment converting thereceived radio frequency signal further comprises sampling the receivedsignal using electro optic sampling. In another particular embodimentthe RF transmitter is placed at a location selected from the groupconsisting of an electric power distribution substation, a residentialpower transformer, a residence and a triple play network node.

In another particular embodiment a system for delivering data to an enduser device is disclosed. The system includes an optical converter indata communication with an optical signal containing broadband digitaldata, wherein the optical converter converts the optical signal to afirst radio frequency signal and a first RF receiver in a first localregion associated with the end user device, wherein the opticalconverter transmits the first radio frequency (RF) signal from an RFtransmitter to the RF receiver and the RF receiver converts the receivedRF signal to a digital data signal. In another particular embodiment thesystem further includes an electrical power modem that places theconverted radio frequency digital data signal on electrical power wiringassociated with the end user device. In another particular embodimentwherein the RF signal comprises a band of RF frequencies and wherein afirst subset of the band of RF frequencies is associated with a firstend user device and a second subset of the band of RF frequencies isassociated with a second end user device, wherein the first subset offrequencies and the second subset of frequencies do not overlap.

In another particular embodiment the transmitter transmits a second RFsignal to a second RF receiver in a second local region, wherein thefirst RF signal and the second RF signal do not interfere with eachother in their respective local regions. In another particularembodiment the first and second RF signals share the same frequencyband. In another particular embodiment the first subset of RFfrequencies are encrypted using a first encryption key associated withthe first end user device and the second subset of RF frequencies areencrypted using a second encryption key associated with the second enduser device.

In another particular embodiment the optical converter further comprisesa uni-traveling carrier photodiode that converts the optical signalusing the uni-traveling carrier photodiode. In another particularembodiment the converter uses a phase of the carrier signal for one ofthe group consisting of link management and enhanced power when linkdegradation occurs. In another particular embodiment the receiverfurther includes an electro optic sampling device for converting thereceived radio frequency using electro optic sampling. In anotherparticular embodiment the RF transmitter is placed at a locationselected from the group consisting of an electric power distributionsubstation, a residential power transformer, a residence and a tripleplay network node.

In another particular embodiment a computer readable medium containing acomputer program of executable instructions, the computer programperforming a method for delivering data to an end user device isdisclosed. The computer program includes instructions to receive anoptical signal containing broadband digital data; converting the opticalsignal to a first radio frequency signal; instructions to transmit thefirst radio frequency (RF) signal from an RF transmitter to a first RFreceiver in a first local region associated with the end user device;and instructions to convert the received radio frequency signal to adigital data signal.

In another particular embodiment the computer program further includesinstructions to place the converted radio frequency digital data signalon electrical power wiring associated with the end user device. Inanother particular embodiment the RF signal comprises a band of RFfrequencies and wherein a first subset of the band of RF frequencies isassociated with a first end user device and a second subset of the bandof RF frequencies is associated with a second end user device, whereinthe first subset of frequencies and the second subset of frequencies donot overlap. In another particular embodiment the computer programfurther includes instructions to transmit a second RF signal to a secondRF receiver in a second local region, wherein the first RF signal andthe second RF signal do not interfere with each other in their localregions.

In another particular embodiment the first and second RF signals sharethe same frequency band. In another particular embodiment the computerprogram further includes instructions to encrypt the first subset of RFfrequencies using a first encryption key associated with the first enduser device and encrypt the second subset of RF frequencies using asecond encryption key associated with the second end user device. Inanother particular embodiment the instructions to convert the opticalsignal further comprises instructions to convert the optical signalusing a uni-traveling carrier photodiode.

In another particular embodiment the computer program further includesinstructions to use a phase of the carrier signal for one of the groupconsisting of link management and enhanced power when link degradationoccurs. In another particular embodiment converting the received radiofrequency signal further comprises sampling the received signal usingelectro optic sampling. In another particular embodiment the RFtransmitter is placed at a location selected from the group consistingof an electric power distribution substation, a residential powertransformer, a residence and a triple play network node.

An illustrative embodiment describes a method and apparatus for carryingoptical-based digital information over millimeter wave radio frequency(RF) waves and broadband electrical power line systems. The illustrativeembodiment transmission procedure has the merit of leveragingpre-existent low voltage residential wiring on the premises of an enduser device to efficiently provide broadband access. Moreover, in aparticular illustrative embodiment direct conversion of an opticalsignal to a millimeter-wave RF signal minimizes conversion losses, andfacilitates digital communications at higher speeds. For instance, in aparticular illustrative embodiment a uni-traveling carrier photodiodemay be used in the RF transmitter. In another particular illustrativeembodiment are electro-optic sampling techniques may be used in the RFreceiver. After reception at the premises or other location of acustomer premises equipment or end user device, the information bearingRF signal is carried over a power line modem and placed onto thedistribution low voltage electrical wiring at premises associated withan end user device. A user then communicates with the digital network byattaching one or more terminal end user devices to a matching power linemodem and connecting an end user device anywhere onto the distributionwiring.

Multiple power line modems may be provided and used for sharing theavailable bandwidth, at which digital data is delivered at broadbandoptical speeds. A particular illustrative embodiment has the advantageof facilitating mass broadband communication techniques with the use ofmodern-day photonic techniques. In another particular illustrativeembodiment WiFi equipment may also be added at the end user devicelocation or used in place of the RF transmitter for enhanced digitaldata delivery and communications experience. The present disclosuretargets the frequency band 30 GHz to 300 GHz and delivers GigabitEthernet speeds in excess of 1000 BASE-SX (1.25 Gbit/s), thus supportingvarious forms of bandwidth-sharing. The high speeds links will supportconverged services (VOIP, data, and full motion video) with minimaldegradation to the combined converged service applications. The use ofmodern-day photonic techniques for transmission and reception alsoenables the use of the envelope of the transmission signal for passingdata, while the phase of the transmission signal may be used for linkmanagement. In addition, the phase may be used for enhanced power outputwhenever link degradation occurs.

The illustrative embodiment of this disclosure enables mass andefficient delivery of converged packet services over high speednetworks. When broadcast cable is used for these services, bandwidthdelivery degrades with increasing number of users. This is becausebroadcast bandwidth is shared by all members of a broadcast receptionaudience. Every new added application is sent to every member of thebroadcast audience even if it is inserted into the broadcast stream foronly a few on only member audience. Switched packet broadband networkssuch as the triple play IPTV, VoIP and data network provide todistributed internet protocol data over a network of routers andservers, however, sends only the IP packet data intended for aparticular audience member to that audience member rather than sendingeverything to everyone in the broadcast audience as in the broadcastcommunications model. IP data streams can be unicast and multicast tospecific audience members only. The delivery of switched packetbroadband services over digital subscriber lines (DSL) requires thepresence of copper loops, which may be a problem for competitive localexchange carriers (CLECs). The use of the low voltage residential powerdistribution network allows rapid broadband access in a particularillustrative embodiment. The use of millimeter wave communications alsopresents a reusable or stackable technology. Since the RF communicationlinks are short, interference is not a problem allowing proximatemultiple instances, each in a particular local region close to an RFtransmitter and proximate other local regions without RF interferencebetween instances or local regions are.

A particular illustrative embodiment combines the use of photonictechniques and millimeter wave communications for high speed delivery ofinformation, which can also be combined with signaling over the lowvoltage residential power grid for rapid deployment.

Photonic techniques supports broadband signaling, enabling high speeddata to be delivered with limited or no degradation of videoapplications and also enable substantial bandwidth flexibility.

As shown in FIG. 1, in an illustrative embodiment a triple play IPnetwork 102 which may include an internet protocol television (IPTV)system, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system, and a datadelivery and internet service provider system sending digital data overfiber optic cables 103 to a network node such as a digital service lineaggregate or multiplexer (DSLAM) 104. Each triple play network includesprocessors 142, memory 143, database 144, servers 141 and routers 145which distribute internet protocol data to network nodes 104. Thenetwork 102 can be any source of digital data and is not limited to thetriple play IP network shown in an illustrative embodiment. The networknode is located adjacent to a RF converter transmitter 106 whichconverts the broadband data from the triple play IP network to an RFsignal 108 in the range of 30-300 GHZ in an illustrative embodiment. TheRF signal 108 is received by an RF receiver 110 in an illustrativeembodiment at an electrical power pole 115 located adjacent a residence120. The residence is associated with an end user device 122. The RFreceiver 110 communicates converted digital data converted from the RFreceived signal to an electric power modem 112. The electric power modem112 feeds the converted optical signal to the electric power line 114which runs from the power pole distribution transformer 116 to theresidence 120.

An electric power modem 118 is located at the residence 120 and receivesthe digital data and power from power line 114. The power modem 118 thenextracts the digital data signal from the power line and communicatesthe extracted digital data to IP device 122. IP device 122 is pluggedinto the internal electrical line 119 upon which the power modem 118communicates the data over the internal electrical wiring 119 to the IPdevice 122.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are adjacent residences 121 and 123 which containpower modems 131, 133 in which each power modem may operate within adifferent and unique separate frequency band thus the RF signal can befrequency multiplexed such that only a portion of the bandwidth of theRF signal from the receiver is used for each residence and eachresidence can share the bandwidth of the output RF signal from the RFreceiver. Also shown in FIG. 1 is the electrical power source powergenerating plant 130 which transmits voltage at a high transmissionpower voltage to distribution substation 132 which steps down thetransmission power voltage to a medium distribution voltage. Thedistribution substation transmits the transformed transmission powervoltage at the medium distribution voltage power to local power poles115 containing residential transformers 116 which reduce thedistribution voltage to the low residential voltage level which isdelivered to and used inside of the house on the internal electricalwiring at 220/110V. In another particular illustrative embodiment,available bandwidth is the bandwidth available at modem 112, in whichmodem 112 acts as a data source that shares its available bandwidth withmodems 118, 131 and 133. Each of the modems can be identified by theirrespective machine address code (MAC) addresses. The individual devicesthat are attached to the modems with in the residences can bedifferentiated based on their individual internet protocol (IP)addresses.

The first local region 111 and a second local region 113 and other localregions 3-N can be served without RF interference between local regionsas the RF signal transmitter 106 in each local region is chosen todeliver a signal having frequency and power so that the RF signalattenuates rapidly with distance from the RF transmitter 106. Thus aparticular RF transmitter is effective only in its local region so thatit doesn't interfere with a signal from another RF transmitter inanother local region. RF transmitter can be set a different frequencybands in proximate regions to reduce interference.

Turning now to FIG. 2 in another particular illustrative embodiment thetriple play network digital data signal is routed via fiber optic cableto a network node or DSLAM 104 where RF converter 106 converts the fiberoptic data signal 103 to a 30-300 GHZ RF data signal 108 which istransmitted directly to a RF receiver 110 at a residence 120. The RFreceiver 110 converts the received RF signal to a converted digitalsignal and the power modem 118 places the converted digital signal onthe internal electric low voltage power wiring 119. The internal powerwiring delivers the data signal to internal power modem 118 which takesthe digital data off of the internal power wiring and furthercommunicates the digital data to end user devices such as IP device 122.

Also as shown in FIG. 2 are houses 121 and 123 which contain RFreceivers 108, 110 2-N and associated power modems 118 wherein eachreceiver can be designed to receive in a different frequency band sothat frequency division multiplexing can be used at the RF convertertransmitter 106 to frequency multiplex or divide signals into differentfrequency bands intended for different residences or houses. Thedifferent frequency bands can be used so that each house receives atdifferent frequency band and the bandwidth can be shared betweenresidences. This way the triple play IP network and DSLAM node canassign particular multicast and unicast digital stream to particularfrequency bands associated with one or more particular end user devices.

Each of the separate signals can also be separately encrypted such thatonly a house for which an encrypted data signal was intended can decryptthe data signal. In the case of encryption, the data signals can all bethe same frequency or on separate frequencies such that frequencydivision multiplexing and encryption can be used together or separately.

Turning now to FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 3 in another particularillustrative embodiment a triple play IP network transmits a data signalon broadband speeds to a triple play IP network node such as a DSLAM.The DLSAM 104 transmits the IP digital data signal to a power modem 112which places the digital data signal on a power line at the higherdistribution voltage before it is stepped down to residential voltage(110/220 V) at the distribution voltage substation. When thedistribution voltage power containing the data signal is received at aresidential power pole 115 to be stepped down to residential 110/220 byresidential transformers 116, the data signal on the distribution lineis received by a power modem 118 and converted to an RF signal by apower converter and transmitter 106.

The RF receiver 110 receives the RF signal generated by power converter106 and communicates the RF signal to the power modem 128 which placesthe data signal on the residential power line 114. The RF transmitter106 and RF receiver 110 transfers the broadband digital signal acrossthe residential transformer. The residential power line 114 containingthe broadband data signal supplies power and data to the residences 120,121 and 123. Each residence includes an internal power modem 130, 131and 132 that receives the power and data signal supplied from theresidential power line 114 and converts the data transferred to theinternal wiring 119 to a data signal which is then communicated to andend user device such as IP device 122. The end user device or IP devicecan be a personal computer or set top box or any other Internet protocolor digital data device capable of receiving a digital data signal.Digital data signals from the end user device or IP device which maycomprise any end user device capable of receiving a digital data signalcan also be transmitted back to the triple play IP network by sending adata signal in reverse direction retracing the path of the data inreverse back to the triple play IP network or another communicationnetwork. Wireless fidelity (WWI) or another wireless communicationprotocol can be used to distribute the data signal within or near aresidence to end user devices.

Turning now to FIG. 4, in a particular illustrative embodiment an RFconverter transmitter 106 receives an optical digital data signal 103 ona fiber optic cable from a triple play network node. In one particularillustrative embodiment, the RF converter transmitter contains auni-traveling carrier photodiode 402 which converts the input opticaldigital data signal to an electrical signal which is coupled into the RFantennae or wave guide 404 and transmitted as a 30-300 GHZ RF signal405. The RF receiver 110 further comprises an electro optical samplingcircuit 410 which converts the received converted RF signal 405 to adigital output signal 408.

Photonic measurement technologies for high-speed electronics, includingelectro-optic sampling are described in Photonic Measurementtechnologies for high-speed electronics, T. Nagatsua, Institute ofPhysics Publishing, Measurement Science and Technology, Vol. 13, pp.1655-1663 (2002), which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Uni-traveling carrier photodiodes are described in Microwavephotonic Integrated Devices, T. Minotani, S. Yagi, H. Ishii and T.Nagatsuma, N T T Review, Vol. 14, No. 6, November 2002, pp. 42-48, whichis hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

There are numerous ways that data can be modulated on a millimeter-wave(MMW) and sent over a link. In another particular illustrativeembodiment, the digital data is intensity-modulated on the opticalsignal before the optical signal reaches the uni-traveling carrierphotodiode for MMW conversion. In this case, a harmonic mixer can beused to demodulate the transmitted MMW signal and a signal phase mightnot be available for secondary link control. In another particularembodiment, a the MMW signal may carry both amplitude and phaseinformation over the transmission link and electro-optic sampling can isused for demodulation. In this case, the amplitude information is usedfor sending digital data and the phase information used for linkcontrol.

Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow chart of functions 500 performed in aparticular illustrative embodiment is illustrated. An optical signalcontaining broadband digital data is received as shown at block 502. Theoptical signal is converted to a first radio frequency signal as shownat block 504. The first radio frequency signal is transmitted from RFtransmitter to RF receiver in the first local region associated with theend user device as shown at block 506. The received radio frequencysignal is converted to a digital data signal as shown at block 508. Theconverted radio frequency digital data signal is placed on theelectrical power wiring associated with the end user device as shown atblock 510.

In a particular illustrative embodiment, a subset of a band of RFfrequencies is associated with a first end user device and a secondsubset of the band of RF frequencies is associated with a second enduser device. In another particular embodiment, the first subset of theband of frequencies and the second subset of the band of frequencies donot overlap as shown at block 512. In another particular embodiment, thesecond RF signal is transmitted to an RF receiver in the second localregion, so that the first RF signal and the second RF signal do notinterfere with each other outside of their respective local regions asshown at block 514. In another particular embodiment, the first andsecond RF signals have same frequency band as shown at block 516. Inanother particular embodiment, the first subset of RF frequencies areencrypted using a first encryption key associated with a first end userdevice and a second subset of RF frequencies are encrypted using asecond encryption key associated with a second end user device as shownat block 518. In another particular embodiment, the optical signal isconverted using a uni-traveling carrier photodiode as shown at block520. In another particular embodiment, the RF transmitter is placed atthe location selected from the group consisting of an electric powersubstation, a high side of residential power transformer, a residenceand a network node as shown at block 522.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system 600 within which a set of instructions, when executed,may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein. In some embodiments, the machine operates as astandalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected(e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment,the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client usermachine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machinein a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine maycomprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer(PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), a cellular telephone, a mobile device, a palmtop computer, alaptop computer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner,a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, aweb appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machinecapable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise)that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understoodthat a device of the present invention includes broadly any electronicdevice that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, whilea single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be takento include any collection of machines that individually or jointlyexecute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one ormore of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 600 may include a processor 602 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), amain memory 604 and a static memory 606, which communicate with eachother via a bus 608. The computer system 600 may further include a videodisplay unit 610 (e.g., liquid crystals display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system600 may include an input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generationdevice 618 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface9.

The disk drive unit 616 may include a machine-readable medium 622 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 624)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated in herein above. Theinstructions 624 may also reside, completely or at least partially,within the main memory 604, the static memory 606, and/or within theprocessor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 600. Themain memory 604 and the processor 602 also may constitutemachine-readable media. Dedicated hardware implementations including,but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits,programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise beconstructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications thatmay include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadlyinclude a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodimentsimplement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardwaremodules or devices with related control and data signals communicatedbetween and through the modules, or as portions of anapplication-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system isapplicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present invention contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 624, or that which receives and executes instructions 624from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 626 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 626 using the instructions 624. Theinstructions 624 may further be transmitted or received over a network626 via the network interface device 620.

While the machine-readable medium 622 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present invention. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to:solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that housesone or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories,or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or opticalmedium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signalembodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or adigital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained informationarchive or set of archives is considered a distribution mediumequivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the invention isconsidered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or adistribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognizedequivalents and successor media, in which the software implementationsherein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the invention is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, and HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R..sctn.1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. A device, comprising: a processing system including a processor; anda memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by theprocessing system, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:receiving video data from a first radio frequency receiver located at apower transformer that provides electrical power to a premises; andtransmitting the video data on a power line to a modem at the premisesto enable the modem to send different portions of the video data to eachof a plurality of end user devices in the premises.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the modem transmits the video data to an end userdevice of the plurality of end user devices in a unicast.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the video data is multicast from the modem to theplurality of end user devices.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst radio frequency receiver is located at a residential powertransformer that provide electrical power to the premises.
 5. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the first radio frequency receiver receives a firstplurality of RF signals comprising a band of RF frequencies and whereina first subset of the band of RF frequencies is associated with a firstend user device of the plurality of end user devices and a second subsetof the band of RF frequencies is associated with a second end userdevice of the plurality of end user devices.
 6. The device of claim 5,wherein the first subset of the band of RF frequencies and the secondsubset of the band of RF frequencies do not overlap.
 7. The device ofclaim 5, wherein the first plurality of RF signals received by the firstradio frequency receiver are for a first local region, wherein a secondplurality of RF signal are received by a second radio frequency receiverfor a second local region.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the firstplurality of RF signals and the second plurality of RF signals do notinterfere with each other in their respective local regions.
 9. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the first plurality of RF signals and thesecond plurality of RF signals share a same frequency band.
 10. Amachine-readable storage medium, comprising executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processing system including a processor,facilitate performance of operations, comprising: receiving video datafrom a radio frequency receiver located at a power transformer thatprovides electrical power to a premises, wherein the radio frequencyreceiver receives a first plurality of RF signals comprising a band ofRF frequencies and wherein a first subset of the band of RF frequenciesis associated with a first end user device of a plurality of end userdevices and a second subset of the band of RF frequencies is associatedwith a second end user device of the plurality of end user devices; andtransmitting the video data on a power line to a modem at the premisesto enable the modem to send different portions of the video data to eachof the plurality of end user devices in the premises.
 11. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the modem transmitsthe video data to an end user device of the plurality of end userdevices in a unicast.
 12. The machine-readable storage medium of claim10, wherein the video data is multicast from the modem to the pluralityof end user devices.
 13. The machine-readable storage medium of claim10, wherein the radio frequency receiver is located at a residentialpower transformer that provide electrical power to the premises.
 14. Themachine-readable storage medium of claim 10, wherein the first subset ofthe band of RF frequencies and the second subset of the band of RFfrequencies do not overlap.
 15. A method, comprising: receiving, by aprocessing system including a processor, video data from a first radiofrequency receiver located at a power transformer that provideselectrical power to a premises, wherein a first plurality of RF signalsreceived by the first radio frequency receiver are for a first localregion, wherein a second plurality of RF signal are received by a secondradio frequency receiver for a second local region; and transmitting, bythe processing system, the video data on a power line to a modem at thepremises to enable the modem to send different portions of the videodata to each of a plurality of end user devices in the premises.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the modem transmits the video data to an enduser device of the plurality of end user devices in a unicast.
 17. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the video data is multicast from the modemto the plurality of end user devices.
 18. The method of claim 15,wherein the first radio frequency receiver is located at a residentialpower transformer that provide electrical power to the premises.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the first plurality of RF signals and thesecond plurality of RF signals do not interfere with each other in theirrespective local regions.
 20. The method of claim 15, wherein the firstplurality of RF signals and the second plurality of RF signals share asame frequency band.